Susan
Since being clingy didn’t work, I had to switch tactics. If I couldn’t push Elliot away with desperation, I’d do it by being a financial burden. Men loved independence...they hated when a woman cost them too much. So, I was going to be the most high-maintenance fiancée in history. At 8:00 a.m. sharp, I barged into Elliot’s office, holding a ridiculously expensive shopping catalog. He barely looked up from his laptop, though the corner of his lips twitched. "Good morning, sweetheart," he murmured. "What brings you here?" I plopped onto his desk dramatically. "Baby, I was thinking… I need a new car." Elliot leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw. "You don’t have a car." "Exactly," I said sweetly, flipping the catalog toward him. "Which is why I want this one." His eyes trailed down the page. His brows lifted. "A Ferrari SF90 Stradale?" he repeated slowly. I smiled. "Yep!" He chuckled. "You don’t even drive, Susan." I batted my lashes. "Then hire me a driver." Elliot’s eyes glimmered with amusement. "You want me to buy you a Ferrari… and hire you a driver?" I nodded enthusiastically. For a second, he just stared at me. Then he sighed. "Alright," he said. I blinked. "What?" "If that’s what you want, I’ll get you the Ferrari," he said, completely unfazed. Wait, what? Fine. If a car didn’t faze him, then I’d drain his wallet with lavish shopping sprees. I dragged him to the most exclusive boutiques, picking out only the most expensive designer brands. Each time I walked up to him, holding a ridiculous item—a $20,000 diamond-encrusted handbag, a $5,000 pair of heels, a $12,000 silk evening gown—he barely blinked. "Do you like it?" he’d ask, voice smooth as whiskey. I’d nod, and he’d pay without hesitation. By the time we left, he had spent more than most people made in a year. Did he look annoyed? No. Did he hesitate? No. In fact, he looked thoroughly entertained. And to make matters worse… that night, he unwrapped me like I was one of the gifts he had just bought...slowly, deliberately, making sure I felt every second of it. As if punishing me for my little stunt. And I let him. With pleasure. Since spending money failed, I moved to the next phase...constant unreasonable requests. After he dropped me off at my apartment, at exactly 1:00 a.m., I called Elliot. He picked up on the first ring. "Are you okay?" His voice was husky from sleep. I pouted. "Baby, I want tiramisu." A pause. Then a quiet chuckle. "Tiramisu?" "Mhmm," I whined. "I’m craving it." Another pause. "Give me twenty minutes," he said. TWENTY MINUTES?! *** Elliot Susan really thought she was slick. She thought I didn’t see through her. First, she tried to suffocate me with attention. Now? She was pretending to be spoiled and demanding. Did she really think money would make me push her away? I was a Prescott. Money was never an issue. But most importantly...she could have everything I owned, and I still wouldn’t let her go. So, at 1:30 a.m., I showed up at her door...holding a box of tiramisu. Her mouth parted in shock. "You… actually got it?" she whispered. I smirked. "Did you think I wouldn’t?" I stepped inside, caging her against the wall. "If you want something, sweetheart," I murmured, voice dark, "just ask me." Her breath hitched. And that night, I made sure she knew...there wasn’t a single thing she could do to make me let her go.Susan If being clingy didn’t work and being high-maintenance backfired spectacularly, then maybe… just maybe… being an absolute slob would do the trick.Men hated mess. They liked their women put together, tidy, and organized. So, if I became the opposite of that, Elliot would surely rethink this engagement.The plan? Simple, turn his pristine, luxurious penthouse into a disaster zone.The opportunity presented itself when he invited me over for the weekend. I arrived Friday evening with a suitcase full of strategically chosen outfits...wrinkled pajamas, old sweatpants, and a hoodie that had definitely seen better days. No makeup. Hair in a messy bun. The goal? Zero sex appeal.Elliot opened the door, and the moment he saw me, his brows lifted. His gaze trailed over my oversized hoodie, my mismatched socks… then settled on my bare, makeup-free face."You look cute," he murmured.Damn it.Ignoring him, I dragged my suitcase inside and immediately began phase two: Operation ‘Wreak Havo
Elliot I had always known Susan to be confident, self-assured, and not the type to entertain unnecessary drama. So when she started behaving strangely, I couldn’t help but notice. At first, it was little things...pointed glares when I spoke to female employees, stiff body language whenever another woman so much as laughed at my jokes. But then it escalated. The first real incident happened at the office. I was in a meeting with Amelia, one of our senior marketing strategists, when Susan barged in without knocking. “There you are,” she said with forced casualness, walking straight to my desk and placing a cup of coffee in front of me. I glanced at her, then at Amelia, who looked mildly startled. “Susan, I’m in a meeting.” “I know,” she said, shooting a tight-lipped smile at Amelia before turning back to me. “Just thought you could use some coffee.” Amelia, bless her, tried to keep the conversation professional. “As I was saying, Mr. Prescott, the campaign adjustments...” Susan
SusanI adjusted my blazer and took a deep breath before walking into the boardroom. This was the opportunity I'd been waiting for...no room for nerves, no room for mistakes.But the moment I stepped inside, my breath caught.Ten years. It had been ten long years since I last saw him, and yet, there he was...Elliot Prescott, sitting at the head of the boardroom table like a king on his throne.The universe had a twisted sense of humor, throwing me into his world when I was at my lowest. Jobless, desperate, and hanging onto the last thread of my self-respect, I'd walked into this meeting thinking it was just another pitch. But then his eyes...those same piercing green eyes...met mine, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.His piercing green eyes meeting mine the second I walked in. Time hadn't touched him, if anything, it had made him sharper, more composed. The air in the room suddenly felt too heavy."Ms. Hart," a man sitting beside him said, oblivious to the jolt of recognition betw
SusanThey say you never forget your firsts. First day of college. First time living away from home. First real taste of independence. And for me, my first love.I still remember the way the sun drenched the campus that morning, illuminating the sprawling lawns and the old brick buildings. I was 18, full of ambition, and ready to conquer the world...or at least my little corner of it. My backpack was heavier than necessary, my schedule meticulously planned, and my nerves barely under control.I had just exited the lecture hall after my orientation when I saw him. At first, it was just a passing glance. He stood out...not just because of his height or his sharp features, but because of the effortless way he seemed to exist in his space. Like he belonged there.And then I tripped.It wasn't a graceful stumble, either. My heel caught on an uneven patch of pavement, and I went sprawling forward, my books and papers scattering across the ground."Whoa...careful there."That voice...smooth
SusanI hadn't intended to stay up late that night, but sleep wouldn't come. The weight of the day lingered in my chest like an unwelcome guest, replaying itself over and over in my mind: Elliot's piercing gaze, his composed demeanor, and the haunting way he looked at me like he was still trying to figure me out.It didn't matter that a decade had passed since we last stood face-to-face. He still had that unnerving ability to make me feel seen...seen in a way that no one else could.My apartment was quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. I sank into the couch, clutching a cup of tea I didn't plan to drink. My laptop sat on the coffee table, glowing faintly. I should've been preparing for follow-ups on the proposal, but my mind kept drifting to the past...to the first time Elliot and I weren't just strangers on a campus.****Flashback – Ten Years AgoIt had been almost a year since our first meeting. By then, Elliot Prescott was no longer just the cocky guy who'd helped m
ElliotThe morning light filtered through my office windows as I flipped through the proposal Susan had submitted. My focus was sharp, but not on the document in front of me...it was on her.She hadn't changed much. The confidence in her stride, the way she held her head high, the fire in her eyes when she spoke...it was all still there. But there was something else, too, something I couldn't quite place.She seemed... guarded. As if the years had built a wall around her that no one had dared to climb.I leaned back in my chair, tossing the folder onto my desk. I needed answers. But this wasn't just about the past. I couldn't afford distractions, especially not now.A knock at the door broke my thoughts."Come in."Gerald stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor in place. "Ms. Hart is here for your meeting."My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to remain composed. "Send her in."Moments later, the door opened again, and Susan walked in. She was dressed in a fitted blazer and skirt,
SusanBy the time I left the office that evening, the weight of the day pressed heavily on my shoulders. Seeing Elliot again wasn't just an emotional challenge...it was a test of my resolve.Meera was waiting for me at our favorite bar, a cozy, dimly lit spot tucked away from the city's bustling streets. She waved as soon as she spotted me, a knowing grin on her face."Well, if it isn't the woman of the hour," she teased as I slid into the seat across from her.I sighed, signaling the bartender for a drink. "Don't start.""Too late... How's Mr. Billionaire Ex treating you?"I hesitated, swirling the glass of wine that the bartender had set in front of me. "Professionally."Meera raised an eyebrow. "And...?""And what?""And how are you dealing with it? Come on, Su. You can't just sit there and pretend this isn't a big deal. You two have history."I took a sip of my wine, savoring the warmth it brought. "It's complicated, okay? He's my boss...well, technically my client...and I need th
SusanBy the time I got home, the night's events were still replaying in my head. Meera's laughter, Elliot's smirk, the way my heart had betrayed me by skipping a beat when our fingers brushed...all of it swirled around like an annoying little storm I couldn't escape.I placed the notepad on the kitchen counter and stared at it like it was to blame for everything. If I'd just remembered to grab it from the conference room, none of this would've happened.But it did happen. And now I was back in the tangled mess that was Elliot Prescott."You're over him," I muttered to myself, opening the fridge in search of a distraction. "It's been ten years. You're a grown woman. You don't care anymore."I pulled out a bottle of water and shut the fridge door with more force than necessary. Unfortunately, my little pep talk wasn't doing much to calm the flutter in my chest.I grabbed my phone and flopped onto the couch, scrolling mindlessly through social media. Anything to stop thinking about the
Elliot I had always known Susan to be confident, self-assured, and not the type to entertain unnecessary drama. So when she started behaving strangely, I couldn’t help but notice. At first, it was little things...pointed glares when I spoke to female employees, stiff body language whenever another woman so much as laughed at my jokes. But then it escalated. The first real incident happened at the office. I was in a meeting with Amelia, one of our senior marketing strategists, when Susan barged in without knocking. “There you are,” she said with forced casualness, walking straight to my desk and placing a cup of coffee in front of me. I glanced at her, then at Amelia, who looked mildly startled. “Susan, I’m in a meeting.” “I know,” she said, shooting a tight-lipped smile at Amelia before turning back to me. “Just thought you could use some coffee.” Amelia, bless her, tried to keep the conversation professional. “As I was saying, Mr. Prescott, the campaign adjustments...” Susan
Susan If being clingy didn’t work and being high-maintenance backfired spectacularly, then maybe… just maybe… being an absolute slob would do the trick.Men hated mess. They liked their women put together, tidy, and organized. So, if I became the opposite of that, Elliot would surely rethink this engagement.The plan? Simple, turn his pristine, luxurious penthouse into a disaster zone.The opportunity presented itself when he invited me over for the weekend. I arrived Friday evening with a suitcase full of strategically chosen outfits...wrinkled pajamas, old sweatpants, and a hoodie that had definitely seen better days. No makeup. Hair in a messy bun. The goal? Zero sex appeal.Elliot opened the door, and the moment he saw me, his brows lifted. His gaze trailed over my oversized hoodie, my mismatched socks… then settled on my bare, makeup-free face."You look cute," he murmured.Damn it.Ignoring him, I dragged my suitcase inside and immediately began phase two: Operation ‘Wreak Havo
SusanSince being clingy didn’t work, I had to switch tactics. If I couldn’t push Elliot away with desperation, I’d do it by being a financial burden. Men loved independence...they hated when a woman cost them too much. So, I was going to be the most high-maintenance fiancée in history.At 8:00 a.m. sharp, I barged into Elliot’s office, holding a ridiculously expensive shopping catalog. He barely looked up from his laptop, though the corner of his lips twitched. "Good morning, sweetheart," he murmured. "What brings you here?"I plopped onto his desk dramatically. "Baby, I was thinking… I need a new car."Elliot leaned back in his chair, rubbing his jaw. "You don’t have a car.""Exactly," I said sweetly, flipping the catalog toward him. "Which is why I want this one."His eyes trailed down the page. His brows lifted. "A Ferrari SF90 Stradale?" he repeated slowly.I smiled. "Yep!"He chuckled. "You don’t even drive, Susan."I batted my lashes. "Then hire me a driver."Elliot’s eyes glim
SusanIf making Elliot jealous didn’t work, I had to try something else.And what’s the fastest way to push a man away?Be overly clingy.Men hated it when a woman was too available, right? If I suffocated him with attention, he’d get tired of me and leave, it was a flawless plan, or so I thought.It started in the morning. I showed up at his apartment unannounced.Dressed in one of his oversized shirts, the one I stole and a pair of shorts, I knocked on his door at 6:00 a.m. sharp.When he opened it, his hair was messy from sleep, his sweatpants hung low on his hips, and his bare chest looked like a damn sin.But I was here on a mission."Good morning, baby!" I beamed, stepping inside before he could stop me. "I missed you."Elliot blinked at me, then smirked. "Missed me? It’s barely been eight hours.""I know," I said sweetly, wrapping my arms around his waist, pressing my face against his warm, hard chest. "But I just couldn’t sleep without you."His hands rested on my hips, his voi
SusanIf picking fights didn’t work, I needed another approach.So I went for something foolproof.Making him jealous.The idea was simple...if Elliot thought I had my eyes on someone else, his pride would never let him stay in this relationship. He’d break things off himself, and I wouldn’t have to be the villain.The only problem?Elliot Prescott was completely and utterly unshakable.It started at work.I picked the most charming, good-looking guy in the office...Derek Stone.He was tall, well-dressed, and had the kind of easy smile that made every woman swoon. More importantly, he had zero interest in me. We were friendly, nothing more.So I made sure Elliot saw us together.At lunch, I leaned just a little too close. I laughed at everything Derek said, even when it wasn’t funny. I let my fingers linger on his forearm as if he’d just told me the most fascinating story in the world.And Elliot?He just watched.His sharp blue eyes tracked my every move, his fingers tapping slowly a
SusanIf ignoring Elliot hadn’t worked, I needed a new approach.So, naturally, I decided to move on to the next plan on the list, "pick a fight."The plan was simple...push him to the edge, make him lose patience, and get him to break things off first. After all, who would want to stay engaged to a woman constantly nagging and creating drama?But there was just one problem.Elliot Prescott was too damn unshakable.It started at the office.I stormed into the executive lounge where Elliot was standing by the coffee machine, chatting with one of our colleagues...a stunning, petite blonde who was too close for my liking. She laughed at something he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear in a way that made my stomach twist.I didn’t actually care, but the jealousy bubbling in my chest was perfect for fueling my outburst.I marched up, crossing my arms. “Are you seriously flirting at work?”Elliot turned to me, eyebrows raised in mild surprise. “Excuse me?”“You heard me,” I snappe
SusanI had never been good at lying, especially not to Elliot. He could read me like a book, unraveling my thoughts with a single glance. But this… this was different. I had to make him believe I was losing interest. That I didn’t love him anymore. Even though the truth was, I had never loved him more.Sitting in my office, I stared at my phone, the screen lighting up for the tenth time that morning. Elliot Prescott. My heart clenched, but I ignored it, placing the phone face down on my desk. I needed to be strong. If I answered now, I’d hear the concern in his voice, the way he always said my name like I was the most important thing in his life. And I’d break.A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and there he was. Elliot.Tall, broad-shouldered, devastatingly handsome in his tailored suit. His hair was perfectly styled, but his sharp gaze softened the moment it landed on me.“You didn’t answer my calls,” he said, stepping inside
SusanI didn’t go home. I couldn’t.Instead, I found myself in a familiar spot...Meera’s apartment.The moment she opened the door, her sharp eyes scanned my face, instantly sensing something was wrong. Without a word, she stepped aside, letting me in.“Okay, something's definitely wrong.” she said, crossing her arms as I collapsed onto her couch, exhaling heavily.I reached into my purse and pulled out the check, placing it on the coffee table between us. Meera’s eyes widened as she picked it up, her mouth parting in shock.“Is this…?”I nodded. “Mrs. Prescott’s way of getting rid of me.”Meera’s brows furrowed. “You took it?”“Yes.” I let out a humorless laugh, leaning back. “I took it.”She sank onto the couch beside me, staring at me like I had lost my mind. “Susan… what the hell? Tell me you’re not seriously considering leaving Elliot over this.”I chewed on my lip, my stomach twisting. “I have to, Meera. You don’t understand. His mother...she’s relentless. I can’t fight her. I’m
I wasn’t expecting a message from Mrs. Prescott, let alone another meeting request. It had been a month since our last conversation, and I assumed we had come to some form of mutual understanding...an uneasy truce, at best. But as I read the message from Elliot’s mother, asking me to meet her at an upscale hotel lounge, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.Something about this felt different.Still, I went. Because no matter how much I disliked the idea of sitting across from that woman again, she was Elliot’s mother. And for his sake, I was willing to be civil.The lounge was the kind of place where the elite gathered, dripping in wealth and exclusivity. I spotted Mrs. Prescott instantly...elegant as ever in a tailored designer dress, her posture flawless, her expression unreadable.She didn’t smile as I approached.“Mrs. Prescott,” I greeted politely.She gestured to the seat across from her, and I sat, keeping my face neutral.“Would you like some tea?” she asked, though it didn